Hikes Through the Galapagos Islands

by Jon Jared

As summer break approaches and families are gearing up for an adventure exploring the islands, we’ve put together a guide about some of the trails and
hikes on the different uninhabited islands we visit. The Galapagos National Park maintains a network of trails leading to high vistas and through the
sometimes surreal landscapes of the islands. Keep reading for some of the highlights of a Galapagos vacation at the camp.

Bartolome Island

After landing on the beach of Sullivan Bay, travelers traverse a wooden walkway and staircase that ends at a lookout spanning the bay, Pinnacle Rock and
the eerie landscape that is barren with the exception of lava cones that rises from the ground admit bobsled tubes that lead to the top.

The walk goes through the lava fields through stages of the islands formation by different eruptions of the volcano, the last taking place in 1904.

Seymour Island

Seymour Island is a small flat island that has two trails that loop around the island along the coast, through cacti and Palo Santo trees, and past
blue-footed booby and frigate bird colonies. Along the coast look out for sea lions basking in the sand, Inland, keep your eyes on the ground for
land iguanas. The population was reintroduced in the 1930s and numbered around 2500 when the last census was taken.

This is the place to see the blue-footed booby’s mating dance, and find frigate birds inflating their red pouches to basketball size proportions. The
island is 1.9 square kilometres and the trail is easy to navigate, leading from one side of the island to the other.

Santa Fe Island

Santa Fe is another small island with a healthy land iguana population, numbering over 6000. Two trails skirt the island, one that follows the coast
passing sea lions, and meandering through tall Santa Fe Opuntia cacti. The other follows a steep incline that ends high on cliffs that overlook
the interior of the island and the turquoise waters of the bay below. Keep an eye out for the Santa Fe yellow land iguana, which is endemic to
the island and is seen feeding on cactus along the trail. The island is also home to a reclusive, new tortoise population, part of a program to
revive tortoises on islands where they were driven to extinction by pirates and whalers.

Plazas Island

One of the places close to Santa Cruz that our safaris can visit during your Galapagos vacation, South Plazas Island is one of the smallest in the
islands. The trail on this island follows a loop through native cacti and over brightly-colored carpet weed until in arrives at the top of cliffs
overlooking the sea. The overlook is a place to see boobies, Swallowtail gulls, and red-billed tropic birds. The island is also home to one of
the largest colonies of sea lions in the archipelago.

Santa Cruz Island

While a populated island with Puerto Ayora being a stop on almost every Galapagos vacation, Santa Cruz has hikes that get you away from the city and
into the natural world. One hike goes to Cerro Dragón, a hill on the other side of the island from the port town known for its land iguanas and
bird population.

The site can only be reached by boat, and the trail is one of the longest in the islands. It starts at the beach, loops around the hill with a stop
on top, and returns to the coast.

Elsewhere on the island is a trail up to Cerro Crocker, Media Luna and Puntudo, three peaks that give you a bird’s eye view of the island and horizon
beyond on a clear day.

The trail starts in Bellavista and travels into the highlands of Santa Cruz through miconia trees, past the moon-shaped Media Luna, and to a fork in
the path. Going left takes you to Puntudo and right takes you to Cerro Crocker. This is a hike that takes a few hours and puts you deep into the
highlands. The terrain can be challenging, but for hikers who want to get out and away from town independently, its a great way to spend the day.

For those looking for an active Galapagos vacation, the camp offers plenty to keep you moving during your stay. Exploring the islands by foot puts
you in the middle of the natural wildlife and flora that make the archipelago one of the special places in the world. For more information about
our safaris and where they can take you, contact a member of our team through this site or using our toll-free number.